China exports for the first time a third-generation Red Arrow 12 fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles

State-owned China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) has delivered a batch of advanced portable HJ-12E (also known as Red Arrow 12) portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank missile to an undisclosed country.

The system, often compared to the US GFM-148 Javelin missile, is designed to hit targets such as tanks, bunkers, ships and helicopters. It features a tandem HEAT warhead able to penetrate 1,100 mm of armour protected by explosive reactive armour.

The Red Arrow 12 provide a significant tactical advantages to the Army as it allows soldiers to lock on target and fire without maintaining the position to guide the missile to the target.

The HJ-12 adopts an infrared (IR) imaging seeker for all-weather day-and-night use. A TV imaging seeker is also available. The IR version offers a maximum range of 2,000 meters while the TV imaging seeker gives a maximum range of 4,000 meters.

The missile weighs 17 kg and measures 1050 mm x 127 mm with a total wingspan of 560 mm.

The container of the launch missile is mounted on a tripod with its fire C2 unit. The firing sight is located on the left of the missile container.

HJ-12 was unveiled to the public at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2014.

This is the first export contract of the third-generation anti-tank weapon system.

Despite the coronavirus outbreak, Norinco was able to deliver the missiles to foreign clients before the scheduled shipment date.